What the iPhone SE 1st Gen Is in 2026
Apple released the original iPhone SE in March 2016 as a 4-inch iPhone with flagship internals. It uses the same A9 chip as the iPhone 6s — fast for its time, adequate for iOS 15 apps — in a body carried over from the iPhone 5s design.
The result is the most compact iPhone Apple ever made: 123mm tall, 58mm wide, 7.6mm thin. In an era of ever-larger phones, this size still has a dedicated following. It fits in any pocket, can be operated one-handed, and weighs only 113g.
Maximum iOS: 15.8.3. Chip: A9 with 2GB RAM.
What Still Works on iOS 15
- WhatsApp — iOS 15.1+. Core messaging works.
- BBC iPlayer, ITVX — UK streaming still supported.
- Apple Maps — fully functional on iOS 15.
- Messages and FaceTime — all core communication works.
- Podcasts and Apple Music — native apps perform well.
- Games — broad catalogue, see our iOS 15 games guide.
What Doesn't Work
The same iOS 15 limitations apply as with the iPhone 6s: YouTube app (iOS 16+), Spotify (iOS 16+), Instagram (iOS 16+), most banking apps, and Google Chrome. If your bank requires iOS 16, the SE 1st gen is not viable as a daily driver.
💡 The size advantage: The 4-inch screen is genuinely small by 2026 standards. For anyone who finds current smartphones too large to use one-handed or pocket comfortably, the SE 1st gen remains the only iPhone that solves this problem. No current iPhone comes close to this footprint.
iPhone SE 1st Gen vs iPhone 6s: Which to Buy?
Both run iOS 15 on A9 chips with 2GB RAM. Key differences:
- SE 1st gen: 4-inch screen, lighter (113g vs 143g), no 3D Touch
- iPhone 6s: 4.7-inch screen, heavier, has 3D Touch (limited use)
- Both: Touch ID, 12MP camera, headphone jack, Lightning
Choose the SE if screen size matters to you — smaller is the point. Choose the 6s if you want a more normal-sized screen. The 6s is typically £5–15 more on eBay.
Is It Worth Buying?
eBay prices in July 2026: £20–35 for Good condition, making the SE 1st gen the cheapest functional iPhone available. At this price it makes sense as:
- A dedicated music or podcast player (the 3.5mm jack is intact)
- A travel or secondary phone
- A spare handset for calls and Messages
- A device for a child who needs a small, light phone
As a primary phone in 2026: not recommended unless your app requirements are very specific and banking/social media don't matter to you.
Our verdict
The iPhone SE 1st gen in 2026 is the most affordable way into the Apple ecosystem — and the most compact iPhone ever made. iOS 15's limitations are real and growing. As a dedicated single-purpose device or secondary phone, it earns its place. As a daily driver, it will increasingly frustrate.
Find apps for your iPhone SE
Filter by iOS 15 to see what's still compatible.
Browse iPhone SE apps →Also see: iPhone 6s in 2026 · iPhone 7 in 2026 · Best cheap Apple refurbs